The San Francisco Chronicle has the moments in Red Sox/ Rays history where the teams were less than friendly with each other. Take a look:
Aug. 29, 2000, at Tampa Bay: Pedro Martinez hit Tampa Bay's Gerald Williams with the fourth pitch of the game, leading to two bench-clearing brawls and shouting matches in the hallway after the game. Game note: Martinez carried a no-hitter into the ninth until John Flaherty broke it up with a single.
Ejections: 8 Suspensions: 8 Hospitalizations: 2
Sept. 29, 2000, at Tampa Bay: Rays right-hander Roberto Hernandez struck out Nixon to eliminate Boston from playoff contention, and Hernandez waved goodbye from the mound.
Ejections: 0
May 5, 2002, at Tampa Bay: After Rays starter Ryan Rupe hit Nomar Garciaparra and Shea Hillenbrand in the first, Trot Nixon's bat came out of his hand and flew toward Rupe (Nixon said it slipped). Boston's Frank Castillo later hit Randy Winn.
Suspensions: 2
July 18, 2002, at Tampa Bay: Rays second baseman Brent Abernathy and Boston DH Manny Ramirez each get hit twice.
Ejections: 2
Sept. 9-10, 2002, at Tampa Bay: Playing under a warning, five batters were hit in two games.
Ejections: 4
Sept. 27, 2004, at Tampa Bay: After Red Sox starter Bronson Arroyo hit Aubrey Huff and Tino Martinez, Rays lefty Scott Kazmir hit Ramirez and Kevin Millar in consecutive at-bats, clearing both benches.
Ejections: 2
April 24, 2005, at Tampa Bay: Six batters were hit earlier in the series, and when Rays right-hander Lance Carter threw behind Ramirez and then threw a pitch at David Ortiz's head, a brawl ensued.
Ejections: 6 Suspensions: 8
March 27, 2006, at Fort Myers: During a spring game, Boston reliever Julian Tavarez punched Joey Gathright in the face after a close play at the plate, and the Rays charged onto the field.
Ejections: 2 Suspensions: 1
June 5, 2008, at Boston: A day after Coco Crisp's hard slide into Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura, Tampa Bay starter James Shields hit Crisp, who charged the mound. Punches were thrown, and the benches emptied.
Ejections: 3 Suspensions: 8
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The Yankees acquisition of Mark Teixeira is bad news for the Red Sox. As a switch hitter Teixeira can take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium and of the Green Monster when he comes to Fenway. With A-Rod and Teix signed to long term deals the Yankees should have solid offense for some time. By signing Teixeira the Yankees took away the one good power hitting free agent on the market for Boston. But things will only be bad if Mike Lowell and Ortiz do not bounce back this season. If they are both healthy the Red Sox should have no problem competing with the Yankees (and the Rays). If one of them does not start out well the Red Sox can make a midseason trade for some power. Lars Anderson could be the long term power solution in the lineup as well. Today's news adds some needed life into the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry that was losing a little steam. Openning Day is just a little over 3 months away.
